Dear IASSIDD Community,
The IASSIDD Family SIRG is pleased to invite you to our webinar entitled “Sibling Relationships and Intellectual & Developmental Disability: Research Spotlight (India and South Africa).”
This webinar provides an opportunity to explore and discuss global research on sibling relationships of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It has been organized on behalf of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Families Special Interest Research Group (SIRG). The session will be chaired by Dr. Katie Cebula and Dr. Louise Rixon (IASSIDD Families SIRG) and will feature two 20‑minute presentations, followed by a 20‑minute discussion.
Webinar Presentations
Siblingship and Neurodiversity in Urban India: Lived Realities and Future Directions – Prof. Shubhangi Vaidya (Indira Gandhi National Open University, India) & Paras Arora (Stanford University, USA).
This presentation examines siblingship in South Asia as a “cultural career” (Weisner, 1993), highlighting its significance across adulthood and its representation in mythology, folklore, and popular culture. In the context of disability and neurodivergence, sibling relationships take on new dimensions, often involving lifelong care in care‑scarce settings. Through an auto‑ethnographic reflection by a parent and a sibling scholar, the talk explores how siblingship is framed as a guarantee of lifelong care, while advocating for respect for siblings’ autonomy and the provision of social support to help them navigate their roles.
Spirituality, Siblinghood and Developmental Disability in African Families –
Dr. Callista Kahonde (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
Evidence from African contexts suggests that spirituality profoundly shapes how siblings understand developmental disabilities, their relationships, and their roles. Disability may be interpreted as God’s will, family destiny, or a spiritual calling, with caregiving seen as both a spiritual responsibility and a family obligation. While spirituality can foster connection, acceptance, and purpose, it may also raise tensions or prompt a search for scientific explanations. This presentation critically examines available evidence and considers how future research and practice might engage with spiritual beliefs that both constrain and enrich sibling relationships.
Webinar Schedule
Date and Time: Tuesday, 22 September 2026GMT: 2:00 PM (3:00 PM London, UK; 4:00 PM Johannesburg, South Africa; 7:30 PM Delhi, India)
Registration
- Non‑Member and Group Bookings:
Register as a non-member or group. Cost is USD $30 per session, with access to recordings if you cannot attend live. - IASSIDD Members: Individual and center‑nominated members can log in and register for free using this form. A separate email with the registration link will also be sent, please contact the office if you need this resent.
This event welcomes participation from across the community, including professionals, families, researchers, and students.
For inquiries or clarifications, please contact Dr. Katie Cebula at katie.cebula@ed.ac.uk, IASSIDD Family Webinar Chair, or email office@iassidd.org.